Unassisted Childbirth

So how do you feel about the "mandatory" Vitamin K shots and the antibiotic eye ointment?

Anyone refuse these procedures?

Any problems?

Did you take Vit. K supplements yourself (for nursing moms)?  Eat a lot of green leafy veggies to boost K supply in breastmilk?

Thanks for any feedback.

I refused both. I upped my greens and worked on my own production of Vit K for my babies. Also, I knew I didn't have anything that would make them need the eye ointment. I did receive biting criticism from the pedi after taking my first UC baby in for her newborn check up. He was disgusted with "what I had done" on many levels and refused to see us again. He and the nurse kept telling us over and over again that we were very lucky our baby didn't die from not getting the Vit K shot. When they pricked her heel for the PKU test they had to do it twice and squeeze her heel like crazy to try to milk enough blood droplets out for it. My husband snidely remarked that we sure were lucky our baby didn't have a bleeding problem from lack of Vit K. Boy, if looks could kill the nurse would be in jail and my hubby would be six feet under. Besides comments though, we didn't have any other problems with refusing them. I believe Kara did though, and I'm sure she will chime in soon.

Welcome to the board!

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Thank you for your message!

I guess I will asking about this stuff when I go to my first appointment at the birth center.  Wondering what their take is on this.

So what did you do?  Did you take any supplemental Vitamin K, or just maintain a healthy diet and eat your green leafys?

I already know that my ped is probably going to drop me after this baby.  I already have refused some vaccines for my twins, and he made it clear that vaccines are mandatory in thier office, and if the parents refuse them they have to find a new ped.  I got some of the ones for menengitis and such, but mostly because I felt "scared" into getting them.  But then I refused the chicken pox and MMR at their 15 month check up 2 weeks ago.  He tried to give me the whole, "It's the law, and children MUST have the chicken pox vaccine in order to get into kindergarten."  I politely tried to inform him that it is NOT the law, and that no one can force a parent to vaccinate a child, and that there is a waiver you can sign if you do not vaccinate, etc.  But I could see it was all falling on deaf ears.  I am pregnant with my 7th child, and have been dealing with this for 15 years, in different states and cities.  It is very frustrating---but nearly impossible to find a more holistic pediatrician that is in the area, let alone one that takes my insurance.  My concern is that there are only a handful of peds that take my insurance, and if every one refuses to take me as a patient because of my beliefs, then I may end up without a ped for my kids! That's the only reason I got the vaccines that I did---both the fear factor, and the fact that I figured if I got "some" vaccines, they wouldn't drop me as a patient. 

I am sure I'm not the only one who has had to deal with this junk.  sigh...

With my 3rd I refused the ointment and I don't think he got the K either. I actually don't recall them asking and he never left my sight so....I did nothing "special" other than I did take prenatals. Before that I really did not know it was an "option". KWIM?

My Dr is pretty supportive though and takes the opinion that I am an informed consumer etc. She is a Family practitioner and I have found her to be more accomodating than any of the peds we have used (in FL or WY). We selectively vaccinate and at a slower pace (no more than one per visit). So I would encourage you to not restrict your self to pediatricians and look at family practitioners as well. We do not have any OB's where I live so she also delivered our 3rd (he was transverse until the day he was born so when I went into labor I went to the hospital then found out he had turned on his own the day before I was to have a version). Although it was not the birth I wanted, she did great to honor my wishes.

Here is an interesting article about Vit K. http://www.withwoman.co.uk/contents/info/vitamink.html

I was very careful about my diet when pregnant, and focused mainly on that and my leafy greens. I'm not a big fan of Kale, which was highly recommended but did load up on spinach and collard greens.

I would agree with Carol, see if there is a general practitioner in your area that might take your insurance. I have been in the same situation as you though, and at the last minute found a pedi that supports not vaccinating and is willing to take on my insurance about it. Good luck with that!

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